<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 74605" data-quote="Mammoth" data-source="post: 952562"
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Left Canada for Mexico back in November. When I told my family that I wanted to get out before they closed the borders again they said I was crazy. Not too long after I left all flights to Mexico and the Caribbean were cancelled until May I believe.<br />
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Although <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/members/12657/" class="username" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" data-user-id="12657" data-username="@GPM">@GPM</a> and I have different views of Quintana Roo (maybe I'd feel differently if I had a family) I am really enjoying my life here in Playa del Carmen. Sure, if you go down the walking street you're going to get harassed to buy trinkets and drugs, but I enjoy a good sales pitch. Just say no gracias and keep walking.<br />
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If you're going into a big corporate store, they require a mask. As you get out of the more touristy and populated areas, people care less about them. In Bacalar last week most restaurants and stores didn't ask for it.<br />
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The only time I've dealt with crime since I've been here was when I was renting a car. I went into Wal Mart for 20 minutes, came out and the lock on my door had been popped. Now, the cops said that some rental companies will go around and look for their cars to do damage to and collect cash. My friend here told me that thieves here won't mess with any locals vehicles (rental cars have obvious stickers) for fear of messing with the wrong person's ride and getting popped. So I just bought my own, haven't had any issues even though it kinda sticks out.<br />
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When I lived in Viet Nam I got used to always having cash in my pocket for when you get pulled over. 99% of the time the cops just want a bribe to go away. Pretty much the same deal here.<br />
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A few months back I flew to Guadalajara with my girlfriend so that we could drive her car back here (24 hour drive) over half the country. Stayed on the toll highways and even drove at night some times, had no issues.<br />
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If you keep to yourself and just don't be an a**hole to locals, you'll be fine. I'd rather have to deal with some organized crime than the big-time organized criminals (government) back where I'm from.<br />
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Other people commenting have a good point in that these restrictions and the government overreach will eventually get everywhere, but I feel like Mexicans don't take too kindly when politicians treat them poorly, and there are plenty of instances of the people burning down their houses, dragging them through the streets throwing rocks at them. The revolutionary spirit is still very alive in Chiapas and I've been told by my employees that there are whole communities where they have their own currencies and they govern themselves, the state government doesn't even try coming in.<br />
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Maybe in the end I'll be wrong and the gov here will clamp down, but I sure am glad I'm here and not back home. Been having some of th99% of the time the cops just want a bribe to go away. Pretty much the same deal here.e best times of my life here.
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</blockquote>"99% of the time the cops just want a bribe to go away. Pretty much the same deal here."<br />
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That's the main issue with getting the world to the best place it can be for all. We need the police and military to be highly professional, trusted and caring people. They will not follow the "constitutions" but the fundamental right of everyone - Do whatever you want as long as it doesn't violate the rights of anyone else. Help your neighbor, share good information, create your own life without interference from no one. That's what all the protests in 2020 and 2021 were all about. Let's tip it into the next stage of social evolution.</div>
